MID WEEK TEASE

Hello Everyone,

In the last few weeks, I’ve been busy working on three projects. The first project is Encore, the fourth novel in the Descendants of Ra series. The second project is Forever, a Descendants of Ra novella, featuring Reign and Alexis from the second novel in the series. The third project is a brand new series featuring the Cimmerians, a group of disgruntled fallen angels who are seeking redemption in order to return to heaven, or are they? In the coming weeks, I’ll be leaving snippets from all three projects.

Today, you’re getting a snippet for Encore. When last we left EJ Nicolis, he was little more than a zombie. Trapped in his own body with only his mind to keep him company. Until Ridley Cross, the woman who helped turn him in her personal zombie slave, arrives. Not to free him, but to command him.

Ridley dropped to her haunches in front of EJ. She’d never been this close. Her amethyst eyes—violet flecked with silver—so brilliant in her pale face, met his.

“I don’t know why I bother talking to you?” She traced a finger down his cheek. Her lips curled into a frown. She sighed and tapped his temple. “There’s nothing in there. You’re an empty shell.” Her gaze moved lower to his chest. Lower to his abs. Lower…

Her hand dipped into the pocket of her red leather coat and retrieved a photo. EJ couldn’t see the image so he studied the solemn expression on Ridley’s face, happy that something had caused her pain. A sigh eased from her and unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. Her forehead dropped to his knee and her shoulder trembled.

Concern was the last thing he expected to feel, but it was there. This wasn’t the woman who left him to rot. That woman wouldn’t have tears to shed.

Her chin rose and she scooted between his knees. “I’m sorry, s-sorry for all of this,” she stuttered, her breath hitching between each word. “Sorry you got caught in the crossfire, but you’re here now, and I need you—your help, your muscle.”

What would bring her this low to seek an enemy for help?

She stood, popped her hands on her hips, and widened her stance. “You will help me.” Gone was the contrite person who just apologized. “Okay, let’s make this official. Look at me,” she demanded.

The order bulldozed his will. His chin tilted and his gaze traveled up her body, past her exposed belly button, the cropped sweater molding to the swell of her breasts. They were small, no more than a handful. Well…he had big hands.

His gaze continued the journey, pausing at the deep hue of her full lips.

“I said look at me.” Impatience stamped her voice. And a bit of fear.

Good. She should be afraid. Very. Because he was going to kill her. Slowly and with great joy.

He looked past her nose, flaring with each agitated inhale to finally met her gaze. Brows lowered over her eyes, she expected his complete obedience. And he was powerless to refuse her.

“Elroy Jasper, you are my bodyguard.”

He cringed at the sound of his full name and swore additional vengeance.

“You will do what I say, when I say. Protecting me from any injury, any enemy is your primary goal. If you understand, nod.”

He understood plenty. He was now her brick wall, her armor, her bulletproof vest. Up and down, his head moved. Now I’m a damn bobblehead! A string of curses ricocheted inside his head though none left his lips.

“Rise.”

He unfurled from the chair. Seated for so long, his muscles screamed in relief. His joints snapped, crackled, and popped.

Her lovely face glowed with amusement. “You sound like an old man.”

That’s because you made me sit for six fucking days! Rage. Four letters meshed together to denote an emotion. That’s what he should feel. The only thing that made sense. Instead, curiosity had him studying her. What did she need with him? Something illegal?

“Sorry for leaving you here for so long. I move faster without you.”

He’d seen how she moved. There one moment, gone the next. Once he was free, he’d find a way to immobilize her and get some payback.

Where are we going? The words stayed in his head because she hadn’t given him permission to speak.

“Put on your coat and follow me.”

She opened the door and like an obedient slave, he fell in line behind her, powerless to disobey.